The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-10-21

herself and. once having chosen a path
aar. knowing il 20 beright, grew strong
r. follow IL steadfasiiy to the end, though
. thousand tongues might oensure.
Within a month after his re iection Roy
iefi his afairs ID the hands ofhi steward,
10 whom De gave power Of attorney. and
uenf asaF 10 the city. A year passed.
and the dishonest steward, turning every.
thing except the Carlton homestead into
money. gathered his booty and fed and
DO one kneW Roy's address
Eiiice Cray knew nothing Of this.
sFhen vacation came she had given up
her school. for she could not stay where
everything reminded her Of Roy. She
lsas teaching in distant village. when
one morning the Postman brought her a
leffer which proved TO be from a former
pupil in shaffon, ROy's home. Il told
~ the loss Of hi property, sisted that he
had # iate returned 10 his home, that
while IN the city be had joined a volun-
ter coTEss Of firemen and while in the dis
charge Of this duty had been struck on
the head by falling timber and carried
away insensibie
when he revived, " the letter went on
70 ssy. The was blind The physicians
talked Of paralysis Of the optic nerve,
Thought time or electric treatment, when
he had somewhat recovered from the
shock might be beneficial, but, said
the letter, Mr. Carton does not get
better. he seems TO nave lost all interest
IN life Then the letter went on 10 give
the other news Of the village, but Ellice
did not read IT,
Hastily she prepared for her Journey
aud zhen the next train left the station
IL bore her IN the direction of shafton.
The rosy bushes chased each other
oFer her otherwise pale cheeks whenever
she thought Of be Grand but she did not
falter. even when she rang the bell at the
''sguire's' and was ushereG. by the prim
hoasekeeper, into the empty parlor. Her
heart beat tumuliuOusly as she heard the
slow uncertain step come down the stairs
and the hand grope Tor the knob Of the
door. lie came in and closed the door.
then stood moving his head from side 10
side, as II looking for some one
4 beg your pardon be said at last,
for Eiiioe did not speak, but does any
one wait % see me, / am blind 80
'les, Roy Eliiee answered, in a
choked voice. putting out her hand to
lead him 10 a seat It was the first time
she had ever called him By his givea
name, and she saw the light fash over
bis face.
--Eilioe, Oh, my darling,7 he exclaimed.
thea he stammered. forgive me, Mis-
Cray, that forgot for u moment. 1t
Vas very kind Of sou 10 come -
4 fear you will think the motive self
ish when ! have given you my reasons
fer coming, she replied, struggling
hraTely for coaposure as she sat down
near HIM. Then: ..The train leaves in
Two hour. and must return, 50 you will
pardon me II am somewhat abrupt in
naming my errandf7
--Certainly, he replied, courieously.
well said his visitor. somewhat
weakly, striving 70 gain time, now that
the decisive moment had come, the fact
i, am thinking Of getting married.
-'Ellice. SIC said, brokenly, 1T was
cruel 70 come here 10 tell me that Did
y0u flink had still any hopes that you
cared for me, that you sAOuld come here
20 Xii them with that announcement
o No, she replied, and then, As no
ofher words would come, sat staring
heirlesslF at his pale face, as he leaned
against the cushions Of his chair. Pres
emily she srose and stood beside him,
letiing her fingers toy with the crisp,
Ozark curls that shaded his brow
Roy. she whispered, harying into
speech lest her courage should fail
q Roy. don't rou know that love YOU
better THAI snEOne else in the worldi /
iored you then, but love you hundred ]
TINES more now. Ny life has been one Z
long regret ever since. came here to I
day 10 ask you 10 marry me Don't refuse /
me Roy. ! have suffered enough for !
my mistake and love you
-'Oh, Ellice, he cried. between pain I
ard pleasure. how can l CONSENT Ii 4
would be such a sacrifice
i know il Roy." she answered. will I
fully misunderstanding him, when you
arr worthy q the best woman living,
bur only let me be your wife and | will
Try - hard 70 make you happy"
i am blind. he murmured, hopeless
j.
La me be your eyes. Oh, Roy"
he sohbed. turning away and covering
ier face sifh he hands, don't send me
iWay. cannot bear H. ] cannot live
without you
lie Wa silent for a moment, then he
lfose and turned towards her.
III seems unmanly 10 accept your sac
-idoe. Eliioe. he cried. - .'but my life is
% dark, and, his voice grew infinitely
ender. Il love you so. come 20 me. little
mr. holding cut his arms, ''for can
Do. sec you Z
Then, as he clasped her 10 his heart,
md kissed the warm lips so near his own,
le whispered.
Il never knew before what the depri-
-afion the los Of sight IS "
And bow soon can We be married,
iariing, r be asked, as she was about 20
caTe him
.'wheuerer yoa wish, Roy" she re
lied,
-Reailyf7
YES. really. - she answered.
To-day. then, he said, promptly.
.'0h, well. not quite 50 soon as that, -
.he aid, laughing, but in a fortnight,
iertaps. res, two weeks from to-day.
III xill be an age, he declared. kiss
ng her good-by-
a week later she received a few lines
rom him. The words were blotted and
b. Letters uneven, but she did not think
Z that. for b. wrote.
You brought me sight. ] can dis
inguish the shape Of the paper upon
shie h Wriie. and live in hopes that
shrn We meet shall be able to see your
lar face
AMI that hope was not in vain
Eeyf Journal
PaaPers In England and Wales.
The number Of paupers in England